All cats hate people
One of the most common misconceptions about felines is that they all hate people. This most probably comes from the fact that cats seem aloof and independent, and don’t seem to have much time for people. But, in reality, cats can be very loving, especially to their owners.
Cats aren’t cuddly
Cats not being cuddly is another of the common myths that everyone believes, but this is not actually the case. Indeed, cats can be very cuddly, and also need a lot of love and affection. This is only a myth because of the fact that we tend to compare the affection cats show with the affection dogs show.
Cats are very low-maintenance
Pets all require a degree of care and attention, but one of the biggest myths about cats is that they are very low-maintenance animals. This is again probably due to the comparisons with dogs, who need constant attention. However, the reality of the situation is that cats do still need love, attention and maintenance.
They always land on their feet when they fall
Cats are very graceful and good on their feet, but it is still important to be careful with them. Cats are agile and have a great balancing system in place, but this still doesn’t meant they’re going to fall on their feet all the time, especially if falling from a great height.
You’ll never see your cat
Another myth that a lot of people believe about cats is that they are very nomadic. There’s a common misconception that you will never see your cat, and they will just come and go as they please, spending the rest of the time away and on their own.
Cats are meant to drink cow’s milk
Even though cats are attracted to dairy, there are some types of milk that are not actually safe for them. Cow’s milk can negatively affect cats with lactose intolerance, potentially leading to an upset stomach. Water is typically the best and safest bet when you are looking to hydrate your feline.
It’s always best for your cat to live outdoors
Yes, it’s true that you can raise cats to be indoor cats, but many of them actually love the outdoors. Now, many people believe that cats are meant to live outside, but according to experts it actually depends on the cat. In a lot of cases, it is actually better to keep them indoors as much as possible.
Cats detest water
Whilst it is true that cats hate being fully submerged in water, they actually don’t hate water itself. In fact, a lot of cats love to play with water, and many of them are fascinated by it. This is especially true when it comes to running water.
Cats and dogs are sworn enemies
Pop culture would love us to believe that cats and dogs are sworn enemies, but this is actually not the case. Whilst many of them don’t get along, it is absolutely possible for cats and dogs to get along. Much of this comes down to you as an owner, and how you approach the relationship between the animals.
Cats eat when they want
There is a belief that you can simply put down food for cats at any time, and just leave it for them to eat whenever they want. This is not true, and you need to make sure you have a regular feeding schedule for your cat; even if it seems as though they aren’t interested, they will be.
Having a cat as a pat can be dangerous if you’re pregnant
Another common myth you will hear about cats is that having a cat as a pregnant woman can be dangerous. Of course, it pays to be cautious when handling things like litter trays, and especially cat feces. If you are pregnant, try to avoid changing the litter tray, and there should be no issues.
You can’t train a cat
It might seem as though cats just do exactly as they please, but it is actually possible to train a cat effectively. It’s different from a dog though, in the sense that cats will not learn from discipline. Instead, try to use a clicker, and provide some sort of reward for good behavior.
Cats are nocturnal
In some ways, cats are nocturnal, and they are certainly associated with the night. But this isn’t completely true, and, according to experts, cats are most awake at dusk dawn, which tracks with the type of prey they like to hunt and eat, creatures that are also awake at these times.
If you keep a cat as a pet you’ll get Cat Scratch Fever
Cat Scratch Fever is something that can negatively impact your health, and might lead to things like nausea, headaches, muscle cramps, and exhaustion. However, it is an uncommon condition, and you can take plenty of precautionary steps to prevent this from becoming a risk.
Declawing a cat is harmless
Declawing your cat might seem like a great way of preventing your cat from clawing the sofa, but it can actually be quite harmful to your feline. There are physical and psychological implications for cats who are declawed, and this is not a necessary step to be taking.
Indoor cats don’t need as many jabs
Yes, keeping your cat inside is going to mean they are less exposed to the potential dangers and diseases they could pick up outside, but they still need protection. So, you need to make sure you don’t fall into the trap of thinking that they don’t need the same jabs, like FVRCP, which is an essential vaccination.
Indoor cats don’t get sick
Similarly, don’t fall into the trap of believing that indoor kitties don’t get sick, because they do. Outdoor cats are more prone to this, but indoor cats still face a variety of health concerns, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, hyperthyroidism, and more.
Cats have perfect night vision
Whilst cats do have enhanced vision in the dark, this is generally in comparison to humans. They need minimal light, which they can intensify and improve via a membrane in their eyes known as tapetum. This allow them to see well in the dark, but in pitch black they will struggle.
Cats can be very territorial
Something else that a lot of people believe about cats which isn’t actually true is that they can be very territorial. Sure, they might hiss at next door’s cat if it tries to get their food, but largely cats are so busy exploring their surroundings, they aren’t really too bothered about other creatures.
Black cats are unlucky
One of the biggest myths we’ve probably all heard about cats is that black cats are unlucky. Of course, this is a superstition that has no basis in reality, and likely stems from the fact that black cats are associated with witches. Unsurprisingly, this is a silly myth, but one that continues across the world.
Cats have nine lives
This is probably one of those myths that stems from the fact that cats are very agile and fast, and this often allows them to get out of trouble and evade dangerous situations. But, the reality, of course, is that cats do not have nine lives, they only have one. This is why it is important to look after them as such!
Cats only purr when they’re happy
We’re all familiar with the sound of cats purring, and it’s easy to assume that this always means your kitty is happy. However, cats will also purr when they are hungry, injured, or frightened, so it is important to try to understand the different types of purrs that cats will do, so you can work out what might be causing them.
They are solitary creatures
Something else that a lot of people wrongly assume about cats is that they are solitary creatures, but this is not actually true. Sure, they are a little more independent than dogs, but they are still animals that require contact and attention, and company, and you need to make sure you give that to them.
Rubbing butter on your cat’s paws will help it get home
We don’t know where this myth originated, but the idea behind it is that when you move house, rubbing butter on their paws will remove the scents they have had before, and allow them to acclimate to the scents of their new home. Unfortunately, this is not actually true, and instead can just cause an unpleasant smell to linger.
You know when your cat is sick
At the end of the day, you probably don’t know your cat as well as you perhaps think you do. This is something that can result in some problems because you may not be as attuned to when your feline is sick as you believe you are. If your cat is showing signs of being a bit off, you need to take them to a vet, instead of just trying to determine the problem yourself.
Female cats should have one litter before being spayed
This is a similar myth to the one that claims all women should have a child, which is also not true. At the end of the day, this is certainly a case by case type of situation. Some cats will benefit from having a litter, whilst others may not, but it’s certainly not something you need to force.
Cats only eat as much as they need
If only this were the case, it would make life so much easier! In fact, the reality of the situation is that cats are not great at regulating what they eat, and this means that you, as the owner, need to do it for them. This is why it is important to develop a feeding schedule and routine for your cat.
Cats can be vegan
No, no, no. Whilst it is good to diversify what your cat is eating, they absolutely need to be having meat in their diet. Even if you are vegan, it is not feasible to make your cat vegan as well, and you need to make sure you are giving your cat the meat and protein it needs.
It’s good for cats to eat raw meat
Many people believe that cats eat raw meat because that is the way things tend to happen in the wild. But, when cats are more domesticated, they need to have a different diet, and this is something you need to consider as an owner when shopping for your feline friend.
Cats don’t need carbs
A lot of people believe that cats don’t need carbs, but this is actually entirely false. Your cat needs to have a balanced diet, with protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins. So this is why you need to make sure you are focused on giving your cat exactly what they need in terms of diet.
Dogs are friendlier than cats
There is a common misconception that dogs are friendlier than cats, but this isn’t actually true. Society believes dogs to be more affectionate because they are more outwardly so, but cats are more than capable of wonderful levels of love and affection as well – they simply show it differently!
Cats steal a baby’s breath
No, you’re not misreading this! This is one of the oldest and most ridiculous superstitions and myths that many people used to believe way back when. Of course, nowadays, it seems highly unlikely you would encounter someone who would believe this nonsense.
Cats can talk with their tails
Whilst it is true that felines use body language to communicate, particularly with one another, there is no specific message conveyed by the tail. In fact, this is just a basic form of body language that all cats use, so it is important to be attuned to how your cat is behaving.
Cats only scratch furniture to sharpen their claws
Whilst it’s true that this is one of the reasons why cats scratch furniture, it is far from the only reason. There are a number of different causes a cat might have for scratching furniture, including marking their territory, so it’s important not to assume the reasons.
Cats don’t develop dental problems
A common myth surrounding cats is that they don’t develop dental problems, and that you don’t need to be checking their teeth, but this is far from true. Cats can still develop dental and tooth problems as much as other animals, so proper dental care and hygiene is essential.
Cats will always jump any distance safely
Whilst it is true that cats are excellent jumpers and that they can predict distances accurately, it is not an exact science for them. In fact, in some cases, cats can actually miscalculate jumps, and even injure themselves on occasion. Assuming a cat can accurately make a jump could lead to injury and problems.
You can’t train cats to use a litter tray
Wrong! You can actually train cats to be able to do this, it’s just something that is very difficult to achieve. As long as you use the right techniques to help you, you can actually train your cat to use the litter tray with patience and perseverance. Start by making sure you buy the right litter tray, position it correctly, and make sure you introduce your cat to it.
Cats don’t get stressed
A dangerous assumption people tend to make about cats is that they don’t get stressed, and that nothing bothers them. In fact, cats can and do get stressed about things, and various factors can contribute to this. Things like separation from their owners can cause a lot of stress for your pet.
Cats are natural hunters
Whilst there is a degree of truth to this, it does not apply universally to every single cat. In fact, there are a lot of cats out there that simply aren’t good hunters. But this does come with some perks, such as the fact that they won’t be dragging dead birds and mice into the house at all hours.
Cats can’t be leash trained
Now, whilst it is true that many cats do not like or use leashes, and finding an owner using a leash on their cat is uncommon, it is not unheard of. You can train cats to walk on a leash, but this is probably going to take a bit of time and effort to be able to achieve.